Surprising Bulls update proves they're closer to a major goal than anyone expected

What a difference a few weeks make. After the trade deadline, many criticized the Chicago Bulls for getting a lackluster return for their best player, Zach LaVine, but they have since thrived without him, with several young players stepping up and playing the best basketball of their careers.

That has dramatically shifted the perception of their team. Taking them from being seen as a team with no potential stars and in desperate need of the number one pick in the 2025 draft to a team that is a few pieces away from emerging as a playoff contender.

The league is starting to take notice too, with Bulls guard Coby White recently winning Player of the Week for a second-straight week while forward Josh Giddey recently posted a one-of-a-kind stat line that nearly resulted in him having the first quadruple-double in more than 30 years.

The Chicago Bulls have two stars in the making in Coby White and Josh Giddy.

With both players looking like building blocks for the Bulls, they are actually much further along in their rebuild than many thought. They could still use a Cooper Flagg-level prospect to be the centerpiece of their rebuild, but they are already on the right track. The Bulls could afford to take the next season or two to see exactly what they have and what they can add in the draft.

They could have the ninth pick in this year's draft and could look to the future by drafting a long-term replacement for Nikola Vucevic in Khaman Maluach or Derik Queen. Maluach is a 7-2 big man who could anchor the next great Bulls teams with him projected to be an elite defensive player while also being a solid screen setter and finisher in the pick and roll.

Both attributes would be helpful to White and Giddey, helping them on the defensive end by giving them a potentially elite rim protector. They'd also have someone who can free them up on the perimeter and finish passes in the paint. As for Queen, he projects to be a unique offensive center who can attack defenders both in the paint and from the perimeter.

The Bulls need to re-sign Josh Giddey and Coby White to lock up their young core.

Before the Bulls start making long-term plans with White and Giddey, they will first have to re-sign Giddey, who will be a restricted free agent this summer and could get paid. After playing reasonably well over the first three months of the season, he has leveled up. He's dramatically improved his jumper, turning into an accurate, high-volume 3-point shooter seemingly overnight.

Since the beginning of February, Giddey has been averaging 20.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 48.7% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. Not to be outdone, White is posting 23.3 points and 4 assists while shooting 35% on 8.3 3-point attempts per game. White, fortunately for the Bulls, is under contract for next year, but he's going to get PAID with him making less than $25 million this season and next season.

Ultimately, the Bulls appear to have found long-term answers at point guard and small forward in White and Giddey. If Matas Buzelis pans out and they fill another position of need in the draft this year, then they could be far closer than anyone could've expected to competing.